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| Phoenix Arizona to Grand Canyon National
Park South Rim. |
Phoenix to Grand Canyon
(233 Miles; 4 hrs 20 min)
Overview.
I love the 4.5 hour drive from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon. Once
north of the urban sprawl that passes for metro Phoenix, the scenery
is spectacular: majestic saguaro cacti, open desert, and, as you
approach Flagstaff, the towering San Francisco peaks.
Grand Canyon National Park has two entrances:
a Southern Entrance, just north of Tusayan, and an Eastern Entrance,
a few miles East of Desert View. This makes it possible to explore
a lot of scenery.
I recommend planning your travel so you
arrive via one entrance and exit via the other. For a practical
and nostalgic reasons, I prefer to enter via the Southern Entrance
Station, and exit via the Eastern Entrance Station. The Southern
Entrance station puts you closer to most of the hotels, restaurants,
Babbett's largest General Store, and the Backcountry Reservations
Office. If sightseeing is your primary objective, this puts you
closer to the sights at the Western end of the park. Visit these
first. Plan to explore the Eastern vistas on your way out of the
park.
 From
Phoenix to Flagstaff. Follow the Signs for I-10/I-17 North.
At the I-10/I-17 split, take I-17 North.
The Rock Springs
Cafe, about an hour North of Phoenix, is a great place to
stop, stretch your legs, and grab a great meal. The Cafe has lots
of character and great pies!
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| Dino landmark at Valle, Az. |
After about 145 miles you reach Flagstaff (and the end of I-17).
Take the exit for Route 89.
From Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon's Southern
Entrance Station. Follow Route 89 North through Flagstaff until
you reach the Route 180 turnoff (about 2 miles). This will be a left
hand turn, so be prepared. Follow Route 180 to Valle, AZ, home of
Bedrock city, and this scary dinosaur. Turn Right (North) onto Rt
180/64. After about 75 miles, you will come to Tusayan, AZ. Tusayan
features multiple hotels.
Grand Canyon National Park entrance is about 5 miles beyond Tusayan.
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